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Friendship in people with schizophrenia: a survey

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To explore the quantitative and qualitative aspects of friendship in people with schizophrenia. To examine emotional and behavioural commitment, experiences of stigma, and the impact of illness factors that may affect the making and keeping of friends. The difference in the perception between the researcher and participants of the presence of problems in friendships was also investigated.

Methods

The size and quality of the social networks of 137 people with established schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, aged 18–65 in one geographical area of southeast England was ascertained using a semi-structured interview. Qualitative aspects of friendship were measured using objective, pre-determined, investigator-rated criteria.

Results

The mean number of friends reported by respondents was 1.57. Men were less likely to report friendships than women (29 vs. 53%, χ 2 = 13.51, df 1, p < 0.001). Of the 79 people who had a friend, 75 named someone amongst fellow service users. The quality of these friendships was generally good. Emotional commitment to friendship and mistrust were more important than current clinical state in determining whether or not the participant has friends. Most of those without friends did not see the lack of friendship as a problem. The researcher was up to three times more likely to report a problem than the participant.

Conclusions

The friendship network size was found to be small but the quality of friendship mostly positive and highly valued. The majority of friendships were with other service users made during attendances at day hospitals and drop-in centres thus underscoring the importance of this service provision. Psychosocial intervention programmes need to take into account psychological factors that impact upon friendship.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the service users, carers and clinicians of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who gave me their time and effort to participate in this research project.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Leonards Community Mental Health Team, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Gambier House, West Hill Road, St. Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex, TN38 0NG, UK

    Ellen Wan-Yuk Harley

  2. Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK

    Jed Boardman & Tom Craig

Authors
  1. Ellen Wan-Yuk Harley
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  2. Jed Boardman
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  3. Tom Craig
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ellen Wan-Yuk Harley.

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Harley, E.WY., Boardman, J. & Craig, T. Friendship in people with schizophrenia: a survey. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 47, 1291–1299 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-011-0437-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-011-0437-x

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